Dimitri From Paris
Get Down With The Philly Sound
BBE Records
May 18, 2010

BBE Records proudly presents its fifth and arguably most exciting compilation with The French DJ and ambassador of disco – Dimitri from Paris. Get Down With The Philly Sound focuses on Dimitri’s essential disco era tracks, all were made in Philadelphia, and feature the core of the rhythm section that created and defined the sound of the genre. Dimitri’s selection on CD1 traces the evolution of the ’70s disco groove from the first ever disco hit record, to the rejuvenation of the Jackson 5’s career, interspersed with obscurities such as Charles Mann to the magnificent Teddy Pendergrass; Philly International’s answer to Marvin Gaye. CD2 of the compilation pays homage to the original creators and innovators of the remix and extended edits with reworkings exclusively by Dimitri from Paris.

Undisputedly, Philadelphia gave birth to and defined the brand new Disco genre. Gamble and Huff’s sound evolved from the simpler arrangements of the late 1960s into a style featuring lush strings, thumping basslines and sliding hi-hat rhythms. The anthemic “The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in 1973, laid the blueprint for how a disco record should sound. Recording engineer Joe Tarsia founded Sigma Sound in 1968, and virtually of all the disco recordings released on Philadelphia International, Salsoul, Philly World, Gold Mind and Atlantic were made at his studio, thereby maintaining the unique sound of Philadelphia. Located at 212 N. 12th Street in Philadelphia, it was only the second studio in the USA to offer 24-track recording and the first in the country to use console automation. Sigma’s sound was so strong that mainstream acts queued up to record there: David Bowie recorded his Young Americans album there, Dusty Springfield recorded A Brand New Me, while Elton John’s 1977 Philadelphia sessions were in such demand recently that they provided a hit single (‘Are You Ready For Love’) and CD re-issue 3 decades after the recordings were first made.

Nearly all of the disco output from Philadelphia between 1973 and 1980 featured the work of the same studio musicians, known as The Family or MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother). And of course, these same musicians were also known as The Salsoul Orchestra, Baker/Harris/Young Productions, The John Davis Monster Orchestra or The Montana Sextet (depending on who the recording was for). The classic line up of musicians included Earl Young (Founder of The Trammps and creator of the 4/4 disco drum pattern which laid the template for every dance record since) and Karl Chambers on drums, Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli and TJ Tindall on guitar, Ronnie Baker and Winnie Wilford on bass, Vince Montana (vibes/arranger and founder of the Salsoul Orchestra) and Larry Washington on percussion and Ron Kersey, Leon Huff and Thom Bell on keyboards. Don Renaldo took care of strings and horns. Tom Moulton (Pioneer of the Disco Mix, the 12 inch vinyl format, the break down sections of records and supplier of missing masters for this compilation) influenced the popularity of the songs with his legendary mixes.

By 1975, Philadelphia International and the Philadelphia soul and disco genres it helped define had largely eclipsed Motown and the Motown Sound in popularity and Gamble and Huff were the premiere producers of soul with nearly 200 gold and platinum records to their credit. Salsoul capitalized on the success of the sound by employing the same musicians whilst focusing predominantly on club music. Notable acts rushed to Philadelphia to capture the sound: Ex Motown cohorts The Jacksons and Eddie Kendricks utilized the above classic line-up of musicians to embrace the new sound and extend their careers.

Now, for the first time ever, Gamble and Huff have given a label access to the multi track tapes of some Philly International platinum selling classics such as “The Love I Lost” and “Bad Luck” featuring the vocals of the late great Teddy Pendergrass, the first black male to release five consecutive platinum albums in the United States. This tribute to the creators of disco is presented on a limited edition double CD, and three deluxe multiple vinyl releases, exclusively featuring Dimitri’s remixes and edits. There will be an additional vinyl double pack containing remixes by Francois Kevorkian, John Morales and Tom Moulton

BBE releases Get Down With the Philly Sound! on May 18, 2010

CD1. Original Tracks
01. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes – The Love I Lost
02. The Jackson’s – Living Together
03. Teddy Pendergrass – You Can’t Hide From Yourself
04. Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way
05. John Davis – Night & Day
06. The Trammps – The Night The Lights Went Out
07. Teddy Pendergrass – The More I Get The More I Want
08. TJM – I Don’t Need No Music
09. Charles Mann – Do It Again
10. Eddie Kendricks – He’s a Friend
11. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes – Tell The World How I Feel About ‘Cha Baby
12. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes – Bad Luck (Pt. 1 & 2)
13. Philly Devotions – Hurt So Bad
14. The Girls (Brown Sugar) – I’m Going Through Changes

KEY NOTES ABOUT THIS COMPILATION
1. This compilation is the first ever to document the birth of disco in Philadelphia and the work of the unsung musicians who played on the numerous hits that came out from the Philadelphia scene.

2. The compilation exclusively features five remixes and four edits by Dimitri from Paris.

3. Online bonus features – A Tom Moulton Mix in the style of his legendary Sandpiper mix tapes that brought him to the attention of Philly International and Salsoul records and started off the remix, available exclusively from the BBE website using download codes available to physical copy purchases.

4. An epk shot with the surviving key members of the Philly movement.

5. This release is a historical documentation of the birth of modern dance or nightclub music. Every remixer, DJ and dancefloor has been influenced by the content of this release.

6. Gamble and Huff granted BBE access to multi track tapes for four tracks for Dimitri to create new mixes of their classic recordings.

7. Earl Young is founder of The Trammps and creator of the 4/4 disco drum pattern which laid the template for every dance record since

8. Recording engineer Joe Tarsia founded Sigma Sound in 1968, and virtually of all the disco recordings released on Philadelphia International, Salsoul, Philly World, Gold Mind and Atlantic were made at his studio.

9. The release will be accompanied by extensive liner notes, pictures, interviews and anecdotes from the legendary players involved in the music.

10. Listening parties will take place in key capital cities as well as themed DJ events with Dimitri from Paris.

11. A bonus limited vinyl of mixes from Tom Moulton, Francois K and John Morales.

12. The vinyl edition of Dimitri’s remixes will include bonus passes not available on CD or digitally.

Moonoton is a solo project of Andrei Nikonorov, a half of ANDREi & ELEONORA. Home-made music with some inspirational support from guitarists Anton Krotkevich & Sash Ko. Most of the production is remix works.Unknown artist -No Title

Having begun life as the sub-label for 90’s institution Hooj Choons, Airtight has spent 11 years quietly putting out quality deep house, bits of proto – nu disco, and the odd club classic. This compilation gives a decent insight into the standards the label has maintained throughout.(Recordstore,Listen/Buy here